Jerry T. Brewer: Arkansas Business Hall of Fame

After graduating from Springdale High School in 1958, Jerry T. Brewer was the first in his family to attend college. He earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree at the University of Arkansas before working as an educator and coach in Fayetteville.

Eventually, Brewer and his wife Kay moved to Baytown, Texas, where he initially coached before joining Harris County Federal Savings as a loan officer. He began to purchase rental properties in 1975 and, within 10 years, owned nearly 200 properties.

Having moved back to Northwest Arkansas in 1986, Brewer and his son Clete founded Brewer Personnel Services in Fayetteville in 1998. The staffing and recruitment company expanded locations and grew revenue from $600,000 to $12 million in just five years. In 1993, it was listed in Inc. magazine as one of the top 500 fastest-growing companies in the U.S.

By 1996, Brewer Personnel had 25 offices and $90 million in revenue. Joining with five independent staffing companies, Staffmark was established with 142 offices and $146 million in revenue. Brewer was named chairman of the board, with his son serving as CEO. By 1998, Staffmark’s revenue grew to $1.2 billion. It has since become part of RGF Staffing and Recruit Group, a $11.7 billion international staffing giant.

After retiring in 1998, Brewer and his wife continued to support the Northwest Arkansas community. They donated to local schools and athletics programs and helped establish the Brewer Family Entrepreneurship Hub at the University of Arkansas.

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